Trident Ploughshares
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Trident Ploughshares originally named Trident Ploughshares 2000 is an anti-nuclear-weapons group, with the aim of "beating swords into ploughshares" (taken from the Book of Isiah). This is specifically by attempting to disarm the UK Trident II nuclear weapons system, in a non-violent manner.
The group has attracted media attention for both its high profile "disarmament" actions, and mass civil disobedience at the gates of Royal Navy establishments with connections to the UK's Trident II nuclear weapons systems.
One example of a high profile "disarmament" action is an action on 27 April 2001 when three women members of the campaign boarded the research vessel Maytime in Loch Goil and destroyed scientific equipment. They were acquitted at the subsequent trial in Greenock[1], which was later appealed to the Scottish High Court with the Lord Advocate's Reference 2001. Although under Scottish Law the High Court did not have the power to overturn the acquittals, their judgement was that the basis of the defence case should not have been admissible.[2]
Much of the mass civil disobedience has taken place at HM Naval Base Clyde (Faslane) where the UK Trident submarines are based. Other actions have happened at nearby RNAD Coulport and Loch Goil, Downing Street, the Scottish Parliament, Rolls Royce in Derby, and the Atomic Weapons Establishments at Aldermaston and Burghfield.
Trident Ploughshares co-founder Angie Zelter was a recipient in 2001 of the Right Livelihood award.
In May 2005 the group occupied Drake's Island in Plymouth Sound declaring it a "nuclear free state" in protest against the refitting of British nuclear submarines and the servicing of Trident missiles in Devonport Dockyard.
Members of Trident Ploughshares sign a pledge for their conduct, and are aften referred to as pledgers.
